Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-01-28
New YORK, Jan. 27

NEW lokh, JdH u.
Twenty thousand men are this afternoon
on strike alony the river front in New York
city Tney include all the coal shovelers,
long 'horemen, freight handlers and men EN-
ployed on the river banks in almost every
capacity, and the number is augmented to
33, 900 by the strikers on the Brooklyn and
Jersey shores. In consequence it is almost
impossible for any of the steamers for Europe
or along the coast TO leave port.
The order went forth yesterday from the
| headquarters of the Longshoreman's Union,
which was backed by the knights of Labor
Assembly 40, and this morning the men
turned out in full force. Beach walkers
were sent out to cover all the various points
on the river fronts where the troubles were
concentrated and they had particular instruc-
tions to use every means in their power to
prevent any disturbance, also to keep a look
out for parties who in the interest of coal
companies and steamship lines might attempt
to create trouble.
Not single steamer had been able to
take in its regular supply of coal and conse.
quenty would not be able to sail on the day
appointed. At the Cunard dock the Gallia
could not be discharged because a majority
OF the piece men turned out. The next move
will be to get the engineers on the tug boats
to refuse to burn coal or tow ii, and other
labor organizations which are dependent on
coal supply will be compelled to work in the
cause of the strikers. BY thus extending
the strike to other branches of the trade the
strikers committee is of the opinion that it
will force matters to crisis more promptly.
The ferry boats are seriously inconvenienced
on account of the lack of coal and one line
had out grocery ard other wagons buying
coal by tho half ton from small yards. But
when they came round so often the coal deal
ers refused to sell.
The steamboat squad is scattered along the
river front at piers where men and companies
are in open conflict, but no disturbance oc-
Cured up to noon.
The strike along the river front of Brook
lyn also went into effect this morning. The
longsboremen, train shovelers, freight hand
lers, coal handlers, trmmers and other lab
orers went out quietly and determinedly.
Freight has accumulated on the docks ready
for shipment while several vessels are wait
ing to discharge cargoes. The steamers
about to sail are delayed for want of coal
and pretty general interruption OF maritime
traffic bids fair to be inaugurated.
The police are on guard at all the stores
from Fulton ferry to Red Hook. Later in
the day the authorities saw fir, as double pre-
cautlonary measures, to have the entire
police force held In reserve at the station
houses throughout the city so as to be ready
to meet any outbreak.
A feeling of alarm was manifested among
the steamship men this forenoon. The Grip
ping of the fuel supply will cause an imme-
diate loss of thousands of dollars per day to
a score Of companies. Already action is de-
bated by the companies in reference to mem
oraIizing President Cleveland asking him to
l.,t.
to navigation real and threatened They
claim is that the United States government
must make very short work of any movement
that even remotely threatens the maintenance
of the usual commercial relations between
this and other countries. A French line of
steamers will at once, it is reported. take
steps to forward men from France to New
York on all its steamers for the purpose of
loading coal in New York.
At the Deleware and Lackawana and West
ern companies yards in Jersey City the stu
alton is the same yesterday. Two of the
new men were caught between coal cars this
morning and were fatally injured.
The interests of the pilots are with the
workmen and they will refuse to take cut
ships
One of the ideas of the leaders is to at
tract the attention of the business communi-
ty and force 1t to take some cognlzance of
the strike.
The executive board of the Ocean Associ-
alton of Longshoremen and International
Boafmen's union including grain elevator
men, bag sewers. trimmers, caukers and
beef carriers met in convention last night
and agreed to the following:
/. We make general demand for 40
cents an hour for DAYS work, and so cents
an hour for all men employed at night. and
for all onshoremen working on transatlantic
ships and steamships and 80 cents an hour
for days work and 60 cents an hour for
night work on all coastwise vessels.
2. This stand is final and furthermore we
will consider it final until the coal men get
their demand of two and a half cents per
hour advarce, and the Old Dominion steam
ship company agrees upon our scale already
proposed.